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Healthcare disparity in minorities
Today, it’s a proven fact that healthcare disparities cause a major negative impact in minority communities.
And these inequalities are found across the entire system– our communities aren’t given the same health insurance, awareness and prevention education, treatments, or end-of-life care that predominantly non-Hispanic white communities enjoy. That’s why we created TheEPiCFoundation. We’re dedicated to bringing resources together and eliminating healthcare disparities in minority communities. Your family deserves the highest quality of medical care, every single day. |
What Does “Healthcare Disparities” Mean?
This phrase refers to imbalances that are causing typically disadvantaged communities– such as ethnic/racial communities– who are enduring discrimination and inequalities daily to experience significantly greater health risks and significantly worse quality of life than more advantaged communities– such as predominantly non-Hispanic white communities.
Health experts have been aware of these rampant racial healthcare inequities for decades. A paper published in 1985 by the US Health and Human Services department which called out “the poor health status, poor outcomes, and constricted medical care for more than 300 years” in minority communities.
But studies have also shown these inequalities aren’t due to individual or group behavior in the healthcare industry. Instead, they’re the result of centuries of systemic inequality and exclusion across American housing, healthcare, and economic systems. It’s going to require deliberate, constant, and meaningful long-term effort across the US to right this wrong.
African Americans feel the biggest impact of these disparities.
Compared to non-Hispanic white patients, they’re up 3 times more likely to die from stroke or preventable heart disease. African Americans also suffer from much higher rates of asthma, cancer, pneumonia, influenza, diabetes, homicide, and HIV/AIDS.
For most African Americans, one of the biggest contributing factors to disease and death is ongoing structural racism and constant unequal treatment.
This is why TheEPiCFoundation helps communities take control of their own health.
Here, you’ll find current statistics and data regarding all aspects of healthcare in minority communities. You’ll also find prevention and awareness resources to protect your family throughout this article.
We believe knowledge is power. We believe in empowering you and your community so you can live to your fullest potential.
Access to Doctors and Adherence to Recommendations in Minority Communities
Data shows that across the board, high percentages of minorities are uninsured, in poor health, and ignored by their doctors compared to non-Hispanic white adults. It’s important for us to know these statistics because knowledge is power. Knowledge allows us to make informed choices.
The more you know, the more ownership and control you’ll have of your own health and well-being. And everyone deserves to have control of their own well-being.
Below, you’ll find recent census data for health insurance coverage statistics.
The more you know, the more ownership and control you’ll have of your own health and well-being. And everyone deserves to have control of their own well-being.
Below, you’ll find recent census data for health insurance coverage statistics.
Health Coverage Data for Minorities vs Non-Hispanic Whites
- 10.6% of African Americans are uninsured.
- 16.1% of Hispanic Americans or Latinx Americans are uninsured.
- 7.3% of Asian Americans are uninsured.
- 8.3% of Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander Americans are uninsured.
- 14.9% of Indigenous Peoples and Alaska Natives are uninsured.
- Only 5.9% of non-Hispanic whites are uninsured.
Especially considering the Affordable Care Act was signed into law by the USA’s only Black president, this is absolutely unacceptable. You and your family deserve affordable high-quality care from healthcare experts near you.
To learn more about the Affordable Care Act and enrolling in health insurance, click here.
Adhering to Health Recommendations
Trust is one of the most important elements of a good doctor-patient relationship. And yet a recent study found that two-thirds of African American and Hispanic people believe their doctors don’t treat them fairly.
Unfortunately, this is another symptom of rampant systemic inequality and exclusion over the course of history. Minorities aren’t given the same access to education that non-Hispanic whites enjoy, which means most doctors in the US today are non-Hispanic whites.
In fact, 56.2% of active physicians in the US today identify as non-Hispanic white.
Because most physicians are white, most minorities don’t receive care from physicians who look like them. Evidence shows minorities get less attention and less empathy from non-Hispanic white doctors than non-Hispanic white patients do.
Over time, the result of this disparity is that minority communities who do have access to healthcare aren’t utilizing it. Communities like yours are delaying routine screenings and check-ups because you’re fed up with the extremely poor quality of care you receive.
And you have every right to be fed up. We’re fed up too.
Check out these resources from Healthline to find a doctor who understands your daily struggles and listens to your concerns.
Heart Disease in Minority Communities
Heart disease accounts for one-third of the disparity in life expectancy between minorities and non-Hispanic whites. And minority communities face more barriers when trying to receive care for heart disease than predominantly white communities.
For this reason, it’s incredibly important for you to stay on top of your heart health. While we believe in fighting for equal healthcare rights, we also know it’ll be a long battle. Until we successfully turn the tides, we need to take steps to keep ourselves and our families healthy.
Below, you’ll find recent census data for heart disease and stroke in minority communities.
For this reason, it’s incredibly important for you to stay on top of your heart health. While we believe in fighting for equal healthcare rights, we also know it’ll be a long battle. Until we successfully turn the tides, we need to take steps to keep ourselves and our families healthy.
Below, you’ll find recent census data for heart disease and stroke in minority communities.
Heart Disease and Stroke Data for Minorities vs Non-Hispanic Whites
- African Americans are 30% more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites.
- Hispanic Americans are less likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites, but heart disease is 1 of 3 leading causes of death among Hispanic Americans.
- Asian Americans are less likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites, but heart disease and stroke are 2 of 5 leading causes of death among Asian Americans.
- Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander Americans are 10% more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites.
- Indigenous Peoples and Alaska Natives are 20% more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites.
- Non-Hispanic whites in the US have a 23.7% chance of their cause of death being heart disease.
And the statistics are even worse for minority women. Though cancer is the leading cause of death in minority women, heart disease is a very close second.
Click here to take the American Heart Association’s free healthy lifestyle assessment quiz and get recommendations to prevent heart disease and stroke.
Cancer in Minority Communities
All population groups in the US feel the effects of cancer. But minority communities face extreme disparities in cancer incidence, survival rate, financial burdens relating to cancer, and stage/advancement at diagnosis.
Black women, for example, have the highest rate of death from cervical cancer of any racial/ethnic group. And minority groups as a whole have astronomically high rates of liver and IBD cancer.
Addressing these inequities head-on isn’t easy. Doing so will require continuing to battle centuries of systemic exclusion and inequality. Take control of your health by learning the facts and being proactive with self-assessment when possible.
Below, you’ll find recent census data for cancer rates in minority communities.
Black women, for example, have the highest rate of death from cervical cancer of any racial/ethnic group. And minority groups as a whole have astronomically high rates of liver and IBD cancer.
Addressing these inequities head-on isn’t easy. Doing so will require continuing to battle centuries of systemic exclusion and inequality. Take control of your health by learning the facts and being proactive with self-assessment when possible.
Below, you’ll find recent census data for cancer rates in minority communities.
Cancer Data for Minorities vs Non-Hispanic Whites
- African Americans have the highest mortality rate of all racial/ethnic groups for most major cancers and all cancers combined.
- Hispanic Americans or Latinx Americans have lower cancer rates than non-Hispanic whites in general, but are twice as likely to die from liver cancer than non-Hispanic whites.
- Asian Americans have lower cancer rates than non-Hispanic whites in general, but are twice as likely to suffer from liver cancer than non-Hispanic whites.
- Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander American women are twice as likely to die from cervical cancer than non-Hispanic whites.
- Indigenous Peoples and Alaska Natives have lower cancer rates than non-Hispanic whites in general, but males are twice as likely to suffer from stomach cancer.
- 1.45% of deaths in non-Hispanic whites are due to major cancers and all cancers combined.
Click here to learn more about cancer organizations dedicated to serving and educating minority communities.
Smoking and Drug Use in Minority Communities
Across the board, minority communities use tobacco and drugs the same or less than non-Hispanic white communities. But cancer, stroke, and heart disease– all of which are commonly caused by tobacco and drug use– disproportionately claim the lives of minority men and women every day.
Just as we’re facing adversity in getting equal access to healthcare, minority communities must fight for their right to high-quality treatment and care.
Whether you need awareness and prevention resources for addiction or you need help finding treatment, it’s important to know the facts so you can advocate for yourself and your family.
Below, you’ll find recent census data on smoking and drug use in minority communities.
Just as we’re facing adversity in getting equal access to healthcare, minority communities must fight for their right to high-quality treatment and care.
Whether you need awareness and prevention resources for addiction or you need help finding treatment, it’s important to know the facts so you can advocate for yourself and your family.
Below, you’ll find recent census data on smoking and drug use in minority communities.
Smoking and Drug Use Data for Minorities vs Non-Hispanic Whites
- 20.4% of African American adults reported drug use in the past year. African Americans typically smoke fewer cigarettes and start smoking later in life than non-Hispanic whites, African Americans are more likely to die from smoking-related diseases.
- Hispanic Americans or Latinx Americans reported drug use in similar percentages to non-Hispanic whites. The three leading causes of death among Hispanics (cancer, heart disease, and stroke) can be caused by smoking.
- Asian Americans report drug use slightly less than other minority groups and non-Hispanic whites. 21.6% of Japanese Americans smoke tobacco products, the highest of any ethnic group in the US.
- 5.2% of Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders reported drug use in the past year, over double the percentage for non-Hispanic whites. 27% of Native Hawaiians are currently cigarette smokers, leading to higher rates of heart attack and stroke than non-Hispanic whites.
- Indigenous Peoples and Alaska Natives have the highest reported drug use in the past year of any ethnic group with 28.5%. They’re also 50% more likely to be cigarette smokers and 50% more likely to die of heart disease than non-Hispanic whites.
- 20.2% of non-Hispanic whites reported drug use in the past year. 16.6% of non-Hispanic whites are current cigarette smokers.
If you or someone you love needs help with alcohol, tobacco, or other drug addictions, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration help page here.
Statistically Proven Ailments in Minority Communities
Because minority communities report higher rates of skipping routine appointments and screenings, they also suffer from much higher rates of chronic illness and ongoing poor health. What’s worse is that even when you go to the doctor, you often aren’t taken seriously or treated correctly.
From hypertension to hepatitis B, chronic conditions negatively affect minority communities far more than predominantly non-Hispanic white communities. And these ailments often contribute to higher mortality rates and shorter life expectancy in our communities.
The best solution for many of the disparities you face daily is to find a physician who understands the problems plaguing you daily. Until you can do that, learn about what you and your community may be prone to. Stay vigilant for symptoms and do self-checks whenever applicable.
Below, you’ll find census data about chronic illnesses in minority communities.
From hypertension to hepatitis B, chronic conditions negatively affect minority communities far more than predominantly non-Hispanic white communities. And these ailments often contribute to higher mortality rates and shorter life expectancy in our communities.
The best solution for many of the disparities you face daily is to find a physician who understands the problems plaguing you daily. Until you can do that, learn about what you and your community may be prone to. Stay vigilant for symptoms and do self-checks whenever applicable.
Below, you’ll find census data about chronic illnesses in minority communities.
Chronic Illness Data for Minorities vs Non-Hispanic Whites
13.8% of African Americans reported being in fair or poor health in a recent survey.
PBS has an excellent list of resources for all things chronic illness, from prevention education to financial support programs for families.
- 10% of Hispanic Americans or Latinx Americans reported being in fair or poor health in a recent survey.
- While Asian Americans report overall lower chronic illness rates than non-Hispanic whites, Asian Americans have almost double the occurrence of liver and inflammatory bowel disease cancer than non-Hispanic whites.
- Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders reported higher rates of obesity, alcohol consumption, and smoking than any other population.
- 17.4% of Indigenous Peoples and Alaska Natives reported being in fair or poor health in a recent survey.
- 8.3% of non-Hispanic whites reported being in fair or poor health in a recent survey.
PBS has an excellent list of resources for all things chronic illness, from prevention education to financial support programs for families.
Additional Prevention and Awareness Resources
Until we can create major shifts in US political, medical, education, social, and economic systems, we have to take ownership of our own health and well-being. It isn’t right, and it’s the state of daily life in minority communities every day.
TheEPiCFoundation encourages you to use the resources below and take back control of your life. Be proactive in protecting your health, and your family’s too.
TheEPiCFoundation encourages you to use the resources below and take back control of your life. Be proactive in protecting your health, and your family’s too.
- The American Heart Association wants to help you get Healthy for Good so you can Live Fierce. Click here for heart-healthy recipes, exercises, and self-care routines.
- Some folks learn better from images rather than articles. Click here for infographic instructions about mental health, exercise, and diet.
- Click here to read the American Cancer Society’s 2019-2021 Cancer Facts & Figures for African Americans.
- Click here to read the Center for American Progress fact sheet about health disparities by race and ethnicity.
- The Center for Medicare Advocacy created this resource list for families to get help with nutrition, transportation, Veterans Affairs, health insurance, and more.
- The US Office of Minority Health has a free resource library containing articles about minority health, and consumer health materials in more than 40 languages
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